CONFINED within the walls of a grey world, And never from that iron realm allowed, My powers were wasted; I was broken, bowed; Throughout the years my strength and will were furled. But later, when the force of time had hurled All barriers down, released me from the cloud That held my spirit, left me free, endowed With latitudes of love, my spirit whirled Bewildered round itself. In that clear field I had not strength nor will to stand revealed, Nor claim deliverance. Self-pity drew Me to my doom. I was beset anew; I was afraid -- afraid that love would see What all those iron years had done to me. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DE GUSTIBUS' by ROBERT BROWNING A COUNTRY BURIAL by EMILY DICKINSON RECONCILIATION by GEORGE WILLIAM RUSSELL THE GRAVE OF SHELLEY by OSCAR WILDE JAMESON'S RIDE by ALFRED AUSTIN LE GUIGNON by CHARLES BAUDELAIRE |